Birmingham City Council is pressing ahead with plans to introduce parking charges at Lickey Hills, Sutton Park, and Sheldon Country Park. Supporters say the move is needed to help maintain the sites. But critics say it's another example of residents paying the price for past financial failures. The council is facing strong opposition—and calls for more scrutiny.
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00:00Birmingham City Council says it needs to find new ways of generating income and that includes charging drivers to park at three major parks, Lickie Hills, Sutton Park and Sheldon Country Park.
00:14The council says it's in the grip of a financial crisis. Libraries, bin collections, day centres and street lighting have already faced cuts.
00:22Now the spotlight turns to green spaces, often a refuge for families, pensioners and people needing space to breathe.
00:29A recent consultation showed overwhelming public opposition and Lickie Hills alone over 75% said parking should remain free.
00:37Despite that revised proposals were put forward and have now passed an important hurdle in the cabinet.
00:43Critics including the MP for Bromsgrove and local councillors argue this is a stealth tax on access to nature.
00:50The plans include all year round charges with no exceptions for bank holidays, not even Christmas day.
00:56One councillor branded it a Scrooge mentality. Another warned that putting barriers in front of exercise and nature is socially harmful and short sighted.
01:05The council insists the move is necessary. Cabinet Member for Environment Majeed Mahmood says even with charges, the park still needs support from the general fund.
01:14He argues the fees have been reduced, a grace period added and that volunteers will be exempt.
01:20But questions remain, why weren't the finances better managed and what happens next?
01:25A formal call in has been launched aiming to force greater scrutiny.
01:29In a city still reeling from equal pay liabilities and a disastrous IT rollout, this decision might not just shape access to parks, it may signal what kind of city Birmingham is becoming.
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